Integral bracket and end mounting plate for air spring

ABSTRACT

An integral one-piece end plate and bracket combination is formed of a high strength plastic and is mounted in an airtight sealing engagement with an open end of a flexible elastomeric sleeve which forms the fluid pressure chamber of an air spring. The end plate includes a semi-circular wall which extends perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the air spring and a semi-circular opening. The bracket includes an upstanding wall perpendicular to the semi-circular wall of the end plate and a half dome-shaped wall, which together with the upstanding wall, forms an auxiliary fluid chamber which is in fluid communication through the semi-circular opening with the main fluid chamber of the flexible sleeve. The upstanding wall includes attachments for securing the bracket and end plate to a support structure which aligns with a longitudinal axis of the air spring. A fluid inlet conduit extends outwardly from the upstanding bracket wall to provide fluid communication between the auxiliary fluid chamber of the bracket and an external source of pressurized fluid. A plurality of reinforcing ribs are formed on the walls of the bracket and on the end plate to provide a rigid structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

[0001] This application is a continuation of Standard Utility U.S.application Ser. No. 09/478,641 filed Jan. 6, 2000 which claims priorityfrom U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/160,977 filed Oct. 22,1999, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] 1. Technical Field

[0003] The invention relates to air springs and in particular to an airspring in which the end plate which is mounted opposite of the piston isformed integrally as a one-piece plastic member combining the end platewith a mounting bracket which is hollow to form an auxiliary fluidchamber. More particularly, the invention relates to such a combinationend plate and mounting bracket which is mounted to a supportingstructure which is oriented perpendicular to the direction oforientation of the corresponding structure on which the piston ismounted.

[0004] 2. Background Information

[0005] Air actuators and in particular air springs, consist of a pair ofspaced end members and an intervening flexible sleeve or bellows formedof an elastomeric material to form an internal pressurized fluidchamber. These devices are used for many applications. One mainapplication is between spaced components of a vehicle for absorbing roadshock or supporting parts of machinery and equipment on which shockforces are continually imparted, and for regulating and maintaining thespacing between the two spaced components of various pieces of equipmentincluding vehicles. These air springs usually consist of an upper endmember or end plate which is usually attached to the underside of abracket or support member, and an opposite piston member which isusually mounted to the top surface of a second supporting structurespaced from the first supporting structure. Examples of such air springsand their manner of attachment to spaced structures are shown in U.S.Pat. Nos. 4,564,177; 4,832,317; 4,787,606 and 5,32,139. Other types ofair springs are incorporated with a pneumatic or hydraulic damper suchas shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,796,870; 4,934,667 and 5,180,145.

[0006] However, all of these known prior art air springs and airsprings/strut combinations are mounted between two structures havinggenerally parallel aligned surfaces. However, for some applications, ithas been found desirable to mount one of the end members, and inparticular the top end plate, to a structure such as the sidewall of achassis frame, which extends perpendicularly to the mounting surface ofthe opposite structural member on which the piston is mounted. Likewise,it has become desirable to increase the internal volume of the fluidchamber without substantially increasing the size or limiting the strokeof the air spring.

[0007] U.S. Pat. No. 5,326,082 shows one type of air spring in which anauxiliary chamber is formed within the interior of the piston member aswell as within the interior of the end cap or end member, both of whichare formed of a plastic material to reduce corrosion and facilitate theproduction of the end members. However, again in this air springstructure, the mounting surfaces are parallel to each other and nostructure is provided for securing one of the end members, and inparticular the end member opposite of the piston, to a mounting surfaceperpendicular to that of the piston mounting surface.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The present invention provides an air spring having an integralone-piece end plate and mounting bracket combination for attaching oneend of the air spring to a supporting structure.

[0009] The combination end plate mounting bracket of the inventioncomprises an annular end plate formed with a semi-circular wall and acorresponding semi-circular opening, which opening provides fluidcommunication between the main internal pressure chamber of the flexiblesleeve and the auxiliary pressure chamber formed in the bracket. Thebracket extends outwardly from the end plate so that the auxiliary fluidchamber is above the end plate.

[0010] The mounting bracket and end plate of the invention are formed ofa high-strength plastic material which is free from corrosion and can bemanufactured relatively easy with a minimum of manufacturing steps. Thebracket has an upstanding wall with a generally planar faceperpendicular to the semi-circular wall of the end plate for mountingthe air spring on a complementary L-shaped member such as the side railof a vehicle chassis. A half dome-shaped upstanding wall forms theauxiliary fluid chamber with the upstanding planar wall.

[0011] Another aspect of the invention preferably provides mounting theend plate and bracket to the open end of an air spring opposite of theair spring piston with the upstanding wall of the bracket beinggenerally perpendicular to the mounting surface on which the piston isadapted to be mounted.

[0012] A further aspect of the invention preferably includes providing aplurality of reinforcing ribs extending along the inner and outersurfaces of the upstanding planar wall of the bracket and along theinner surface of a half dome-shaped enclosure wall within the auxiliaryfluid chamber, and along the top and bottom surfaces of portions of theend plate wall to form an extremely rigid and strong structure.

[0013] A feature of the invention is the providing of a rigid conduitintegral with the planar front wall of the bracket which extendsperpendicularly outwardly therefrom for subsequent attachment to aremote supply of a pressurized fluid, such as air, into the auxiliaryand main fluid chambers of the air spring.

[0014] Another feature of the invention is minimizing the number ofparts heretofore required for the air spring and providing the end platewith a stepped outer annular flange for attachment of the open end ofthe flexible sleeve thereto, preferably by a pressure clamp or similarsealing member.

[0015] The foregoing advantages, construction and operation of thepresent invention will become more readily apparent from the followingdescription and accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0016] A preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the bestmode in which applicants have contemplated applying the principles, isset forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings andis particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appendedclaims.

[0017]FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an air spring having the integralbracket and end mounting plate incorporated therein mounted between apair of spaced supports;

[0018]FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the bracketand end mounting plate of the invention attached to an upper portion ofan air spring bellows shown in fragmentary section;

[0019]FIG. 3 is an end elevational view of the bracket and end mountingplate removed from the air spring of FIGS. 1 and 2;

[0020]FIG. 4 is an opposite end elevational view from that of FIG. 3;

[0021]FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the bracket and end mounting plate ofFIG. 3;

[0022]FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken on line 6-6, FIG. 3; and

[0023]FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of FIG. 3.

[0024] Similar numerals refer to similar parts throughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

[0025]FIG. 1 shows the integral bracket and end mounting plate of thepresent invention incorporated within an air spring or air actuatorindicated generally at 1. Air spring 1 has a pair of end members, one ofwhich is a piston 2 which is mounted in an upright position on a supportplate 3. Support plate 3 could be mounted on the end of a trailing arm,axle plate or similar portion of a vehicle, or any spaced supportstructures of a piece of equipment with which air spring 1 can be used.The unique bracket and end mounting plate combination of the presentinvention is indicated generally at 5, and is shown secured to one openend of a flexible sleeve or bellows 6, usually formed of an elastomericmaterial, which forms an internal fluid pressure chamber 7 (FIG. 2).Combination 5 is shown mounted to a vertical side or web wall 9 of aU-shaped beam 10, which could be one of the chassis frame members of avehicle. Beam 10 could be other types of supporting structures of avehicle or other equipment, but in accordance with one of the featuresof the invention, it will have a mounting surface such as web wall 9,which generally aligns with the longitudinal axis 11 of air spring 1 andperpendicular to the mounting surface 12 of support plate 3 on whichpiston 2 is mounted.

[0026]FIG. 2 shows in more detail the structure of the end mountingplate and bracket 5 of the present invention. The end plate portion ofcombination 5 is indicated generally at 13, and has an annulardisc-shaped configuration and is formed with a stepped outer peripheralflange 14. A pressure clamp 15 sealingly clamps bead area 16 of sleeve 6against flange 14 to form a fluid tight sealing engagement with the endplate. However, other types of clamping arrangements can be used toreplace clamp 15 without effecting the invention. End plate 13 furtherincludes a generally semi-circular shaped planar wall 18 (FIGS. 2 and7), and a generally semi-circular shaped opening 19. Bracket portion 22of the bracket and end mounting plate combination 5, includes agenerally planar upstanding wall 23 which has a somewhattriangular-shaped configuration as shown in FIG. 3, and which includes aplurality of spaced parallel reinforcing ribs 24 formed integrally onits outer surface and extending throughout the vertical length thereof.A half dome-shaped enclosure wall 26 together with upstanding wall 23forms an auxiliary air chamber 27 which is located above end plate 13and in fluid communication with main pressure chamber 7.

[0027] In addition to ribs 24 on the outer surface of wall 23, aplurality of ribs 25 extend along the inside surface of wall 23 andcontinue along the inside surface of enclosure wall 26 (FIGS. 2, 6 and7) within fluid chamber 27. A plurality of reinforcing ribs 29 and 30also extend along the top and bottom surfaces, respectively, ofsemicircular wall 18 of end plate 13 to provide for an extremely strongand rigid mounting bracket and end plate structure.

[0028] A pair of mounting bosses 31 are formed integrally withupstanding wall 23 and portions of enclosure wall 26 for securingbracket and end mounting plate 5 to flange wall 9 (FIGS. 1 and 6).Bosses 31 preferably are formed with a hollow bore 33 through whichbolts 34 extend for clamping wall 23 tightly against wall 9 by a nut 35and a rear retaining washer 36. Other types of attachment means andfasteners can be used for securing wall 23 generally flush against wall9 than bolts 34 shown in the drawings.

[0029] In accordance with another feature of the invention, a rigidconduit 38 is formed integrally with planar wall 23, preferably adjacentupper end 39 of wall 23 where it merges with enclosure wall 26. Conduit38 has a hollow bore 40 and is adapted to be connected to a fluid supplyline 41 which is connected to a compressor or other fluid pressuredevice for regulating the flow of air into and out of fluid chambers 7and 27. Fluid supply line 41 may be secured to conduit 38 by a clampring 43, and preferably a plurality of O-rings 44 provide sealingengagement between conduit 38 and fluid supply line 41. Conduit 38preferably extends through an opening 42 formed in web wall 9.

[0030] Combination end plate and mounting bracket 5, preferably isformed of a high strength plastic material, or other types oflightweight materials which are well known in the air spring industry toprovide for a corrosion resistance structure.

[0031] Accordingly, the improved integral bracket and end mounting platefor air spring is simplified, provides an effective, safe, inexpensive,and efficient device which achieves all the enumerated objectives,provides for eliminating difficulties encountered with prior devices,and solves problems and obtains new results in the art.

[0032] In the foregoing description, certain terms have been used forbrevity, clearness and understanding; but no unnecessary limitations areto be implied therefrom beyond the requirement of the prior art, becausesuch terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to bebroadly construed.

[0033] Moreover, the description and illustration of the invention is byway of example, and the scope of the invention is not limited to theexact details shown or described.

[0034] Having now described the features, discoveries and principles ofthe invention, the manner in which the improved integral bracket and endmounting plate for air spring is construed and used, the characteristicsof the construction, and the advantageous, new and useful resultsobtained; the new and useful structures, devices, elements,arrangements, parts and combinations, are set forth in the appendedclaims.

1. An air spring including: a) first and second end members adapted tobe mounted at spaced locations on first and second structuresrespectively, at least one of which is moveable in a generally axialdirection with respect to the other; b) a flexible sleeve having alongitudinal axis and first and second open ends sealingly engaged withthe first and second end members, respectively, forming a main fluidchamber within the sleeve for containing a pressurized fluid; c) thefirst end member being an integral one piece member including an endplate extending generally perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of theflexible sleeve sealingly connected to the first open end of theflexible sleeve and a bracket extending outwardly from said end plate;said bracket having an upstanding wall generally perpendicular to theend plate and generally parallel with the longitudinal axis of theflexible sleeve adapted to abut against the first structure, and areinforcement extending between the upstanding wall and the end plate;and d) attachments for attaching said upstanding wall of the bracket tosaid first structure.
 2. The air spring defined in claim 1 in which thereinforcement includes a curved wall extending between the end plate andupstanding wall
 3. The air spring defined in claim 2 in which the curvedwall forms a generally half-done shaped wall.
 4. The air spring definedin claim 3 in which a plurality of reinforcing ribs extend between thehalf-dome shaped wall and the upstanding wall of the bracket.
 5. The airspring defined in claim 1 in which the attachments include at least twohollow bosses formed on the upstanding wall for receiving boltstherethrough.
 6. The air spring defined in claim 1 in which the end walland bracket are formed as an integral one-piece member of a highstrength plastic material.
 7. The air spring defined in claim 1 in whichthe end plate includes a semi-circular wall and the reinforcementincludes a generally half-dome shaped wall which is connected to theupstanding wall.
 8. In combination, first and second spaced apartsupport structures and a fluid actuated member having first and secondend members and a flexible sleeve extending between said end membersforming an internal main fluid chamber, each of said end members beingconnected to a respective one of said support structures; said first endmember including an end plate and a bracket having an upstanding wallextending generally parallel with a longitudinal axis of the flexiblesleeve, a reinforcement extending between the upstanding wall and theend plate, and an attachment for mounting said upstanding wall on thefirst support structure.
 9. The combination defined in claim 8 in whichthe upstanding wall of the bracket forms a general right angle with theend plate.
 10. The combination defined in claim 8 in which theattachment includes at least a pair of fasteners extending between thefirst support structure and the upstanding wall of the bracket.
 11. Thecombination defined in claim 10 in which a pair of bosses is formed onthe bracket; and in which the pair of fasteners extend through holesformed in the first support structure and through the hollow bosses toform the attachment.
 12. The combination defined in claim 8 in which thefirst support structure includes at least an L-shaped portion; and inwhich the end plate and upstanding wall of the bracket abut against acorresponding part of said L-shaped portion.
 13. The combination definedin claim 8 in which the end plate is annular and terminates in an outerperipheral edge; and in which the flexible sleeve is sealingly clampedto said outer edge of the end plate.